More than 200 people visited William Pinderhughes Elementary School in West Baltimore on Tuesday as the Maryland Food Bank, several Orioles players and their wives distributed food.
Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez and former Orioles catcher Ryan Lavarnway helped hand out and load bags of vegetables, jars of peanut butter and other nonperishable items while outfielder Travis Snider and pitcher Brad Brach spoke to children inside the school.
In the wake of Freddie Gray's death in police custody, many grocery stores and local markets near the school were looted and subsequently shut down, inhibiting access to food for many in the area.
"Many of these stores are done for the foreseeable future," Maryland Food Bank community coordinator Tsanonda Edwards said as he guided residents to tables of fresh fruits and vegetables. "It's important to extend these drives past the time of the rioting."
The residents were also excited by the presence of Orioles players, who took the time to help the community before their night game against the Houston Astros.
"We're all very happy that we're doing this for our community," said Yainee Machado, Manny Machado's wife. "Manny and I love to give back."
William Pinderhughes has a food pantry that is open all year long in an area that qualifies as a food desert, defined as an urban area with limited access to fresh food.
"This area was a food desert even before the unrest in April," said Joanna Warner, the food bank's director of communications.
The Orioles will continue their involvement from June 12-14, when the OriolesREACH annual Food and Funds Drive will take place at Camden Yards. Fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items, which will be used for future distributions by the Maryland Food Bank.